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Honestly, I thought this would be a more challenging question with a deeper answer, but I’ve been sitting here for a while. The question of how to use humor has been asked several times, but I always wanted to touch on the why. After all, I use it in all of my stories in the form of puns, witticisms, and physical gags. So . . . why?
Well, it’s because humor helps me relieve tension and stress outside of writing. I think laughter or at least a positive reaction can help even in dark times. Yet, I also understand that it’s just me and you can’t always insert comedy to a situation. That makes it all the more special in my mind. It’s become a device that demonstrates personalities. Not only the person making the joke or doing the gag, but those who react to it. Are they serious or are they silly? Can they laugh easily or is it a monumental task? You also get a sense of relationships by who can joke around with each other. Two characters who can laugh together are seen as closer than those who can’t share such an action. They can still be friends, but it’s a different flavor of relationship. So, humor can show things that would otherwise have to be told or blatantly pointed out. It’s certainly a versatile tool for an author to have, but it doesn’t work for every type of story.
That’s all I could think of in regards to this question. Kind of messy, but that’s also how I see it because it can be useful in various situations. So, why do you use humor in your writing? If you don’t then what would you use it for if given the opportunity?
An interesting question.. I enjoy humour in a book I am reading and in my personal life find it a great ice-breaker and stress reliever. I don’t believe that there are many completely humourless people in the world and therefore it should be a part of the characters we write… thanks Charles.
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You’re welcome. Good point of there being very few completely humorless people. Though I have run into many who come close b
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Me too.. xx
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I hadn’t seen it dissected to quite this level, but you’re right. It saves a lot of explaining and gets down to showing in many cases. I do it because I want to have a good time in my stories, too.
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Thanks. Having a good time in the stories is definitely high on the list. 🙂
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Thats a great summary of the benefits humor is able to give. Thank you Charles! Best wishes, Michael
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Thanks. Glad you enjoyed it. Have a great week.
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Definitely wonderful!, Charles! Thank you, and have a beautiful week as well. Michael
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I use humor because I pretty much live with humor every day and it just seems natural. Excellent post, Charles.
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That’s a great way to look at it. 🙂
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When I use humor in my writing, it’s because I’m getting such a kick out of a particular character.
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Always a good reason.
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🙂
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I use humour in my writing because my stories need to make ME laugh – not necessarily all the way through, but where it’s appropriate and helpful. If it makes my readers laugh as well, all the better!
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Great reason. Never really thought about how I need to laugh for it to work. Goes along with the belief that authors need to write for themselves too.
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